Premier welcomes petition for electricity reforms

THE Newman Government has welcomed a petition which supports its commitment to electricity sector reforms.

Speaking from a community cabinet meeting in Gladstone, Acting Minister for Energy Andrew Cripps said the One Big Switch petition calls for regional Queenslanders to be given a choice of electricity retailers.

"We are already investigating how to improve retail competition outside of South East Queensland as part of our response to the Interdepartmental Committee's (IDC) report on electricity sector reform," Mr Cripps said.

"So the Newman Government welcomes the support this campaign, as well as the 9000 people who signed this petition provides to our efforts to reduce electricity prices for households and businesses.

"The petition requests the Queensland Government commit to a timeframe for delivering increased competition for electricity retailers in regional areas of Queensland, which are currently only serviced by Ergon Energy."

Mr Cripps said the Newman Government was determined to look at all avenues available to bring retail competition into regional areas.

"Regional Queenslanders benefitted last year from a $620 million subsidy, which ensures they pay the same regulated electricity price as consumers in the south east corner, despite the significant cost of moving electricity across our vast state," he said.

"While this guarantees Queenslanders living in regional areas pay no more than those in the south east corner, the Newman Government understands the desire for those consumers to have the freedom to choose their electricity retailer."